Petrosani

Petroșani is a city in the Jiu Valley, Hunedoara County, at the entrance to Retezat National Park, with access to the Vâlcan, Parâng and Retezat mountains. Founded around 1640, it grew rapidly after coal mining began in 1840. The University of Petroșani is based here. The city has a population of about 35,000 and is the main urban hub of the Jiu Valley.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Sibiu International Airport (SBZ), about 160 km north-east, and Timișoara Traian Vuia Airport (TSR), about 180 km west. Caransebeș Airport is closer but has very limited commercial flights.

By Train

Petroșani railway station has trains from Bucharest, Timișoara, Cluj-Napoca, Deva, Arad and Craiova. Check timetables at infofer.ro.

By Car / Road

From Bucharest (343 km): A1 to Pitești, DN7 to Căciulata, DN7A to Voineasa and Petroșani. From Deva (100 km): E68 to Simeria, E79 through Hațeg to Petroșani. From Timișoara (230 km): E70 to Lugoj and Caransebeș, DN68 to Hațeg, then E79 south. From Cluj-Napoca (214 km): E81 to Alba Iulia and Sebeș, E68 to Simeria, then E79 south.

Local transport between Market Victoria and the main areas is provided by minibuses (maxi-taxi). Taxis are also widely available.

• Parâng Mountains — glacial lakes, forests, a botanical reserve and ski slopes. Parângu Mare (2,519 m) is the third-highest peak in Romania.

• Theatre I.D. Sârbu — Str. Mihai Viteazu 2, +40 254 541 154. Post-WWII theatre hall.

• Mining Museum — Str. Nicolae Bălcescu nr. 2, +40 254 541744. T–F 09:00–16:00, Sa–Su 09:00–15:00, closed Monday. Mining history and coal exploitation technology.

• Church of St. Barbara — Strada Venus. Old wooden church.

• Bolii Cave — subterranean world with pools, +40 722 559 980.

• Dacian fortress of Bănița — a sugarloaf rock fortress where Dacians and Romans fought.

• Cheile Băniței — dramatic sluice-like gorge.

• Ski at Stațiunea Parâng (12 km south-east on DJ709F) — the premier ski area, with slopes from November to April.

• Mountain biking on alpine tracks or hiking on Parâng mountain trails.

• Attend the Folklore Festival — held annually.

• Watch national-level skiing competitions.

• Try camps of artistic creation (Summer University).

• Medieval Restaurant, +40 254 540492.
• Keops Club Restaurant, +40 254 540294.
• Several cafes and bakeries along the main pedestrian street.

• Bar Selena, Strada 1 Decembrie 1918 nr. 98, +40 788 702481.
• Keops Club Restaurant, +40 254 540294.

• Hotel Rusu, Strada Timișoara 34, +40 760 174 339 — main lodge near the ski resort, spa and restaurant.
• Pensiunea Bujor de Munte, Strada Bujorului, +40 254 549 060 — from 190 lei.
• Pensiunea Floare de Colt, Str. Livezeni nr. 36, +40 254 548563.
• Hope Villa, Str. Rusu nr. 1, +40 722 991109.
• La Belle Epoque, Strada Grivița Roșie 36, +40 254 543 451 — old-times resort with restaurant, from 222 lei.
• Complex Casa de Vis, DN66A, Aninoasa, +40 784 243 676 — pool and lounge area, from 153 lei.

• Jiul Shopping Center, Str. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr. 79.
• Local shops in the pedestrianised city centre.

• Deva — 89 km north, county capital with Deva Fortress.
• Târgu Jiu — 51 km south, home to Brâncuși's sculptural ensemble.
• Hațeg — 50 km north.
• Hunedoara — 74 km north-west, Corvin Castle.
• Voineasa — south-east, ski resort.
• Lupeni — 18 km west.
• Uricani — 27 km west.